12 2 STA T . 1 954PUBLIC LA W 11 0– 24 6—J U NE 1 8, 2008 ‘ ‘ (F)topr o videsu pport f or b usi n ess a nd entrepre - neuria l invest m ent , strate gy ,e x pansion, and development, in c luding feasibility strategies, tec h nical assistance, peer net w or k s, business development funds, and other activities to strengthen the economic competitiveness of the region
‘‘( G ) to provide matching funds to enable community foundations located within the region to build endowments which provide permanent philanthropic resources to imple- ment a regional investment strategy; and ‘‘( H ) to preserve and promote rural heritage . ‘‘( 3 ) AVAIL A B ILI TYOF F UNDS . —T he funds made available toa R egional B oard or any other eligible grantee through a regional innovation grant shall remain available for the 7 - year period beginning on the date on which the award is provided, on the condition that the Regional Board or other grantee continues to be certified by the S ecretary as making ade q uate progress toward achieving established benchmarks. ‘‘(g) C OST S H A R IN G .— ‘‘( 1 ) W AIV E R OF GRANTEE SHARE.—The Secretary may waive the share of a grantee of the costs of a pro j ect funded by a regional innovation grant under this section if the Secretary determines that such a waiver is appropriate, including with respect to special circumstances within tribal regions, in the event an area experiences— ‘‘(A) a sudden or severe economic dislocation; ‘‘(B) significant chronic unemployment or poverty; ‘‘(C) a natural disaster; or ‘‘( D ) other severe economic, social, or cultural duress. ‘‘( 2 ) O THER FEDERAL P ROGRA M S.—For the purpose of deter- mining cost-sharing requirements for any other Federal pro- gram, funds provided as a regional innovation grant under this section shall be considered to be non-Federal funds. ‘‘(h) N ON C OMPLIANCE.— I f a Regional Board or other eligible grantee fails to comply with any requirement relating to the use of funds provided under this section, the Secretary may— ‘‘(1) take such actions as are necessary to obtain reimburse- ment of unused grant funds; and ‘‘(2) reprogram the recaptured funds for purposes relating to implementation of this subtitle. ‘‘(i) P RIORITY TO AREAS WITH A W ARDS AND APPROVED STRATE- GIES.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (3), in providing rural development assistance under other programs, the Sec- retary shall give a high priority to areas that receive innovation grants under this section. ‘‘(2) CONSULTATION.—The Secretary shall consult with the heads of other Federal agencies to promote the development of priorities similar to those described in paragraph (1). ‘‘(3) EX CLUSION OF CERTAIN PROGRAMS.—Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the provision of rural development assistance under any program relating to basic health, safety, or infra- structure, including broadband deployment or minimum environmental needs.
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